Gaza Winter Emergency: Storm Floods 70,000 Tents, Affects 350,000 People as Officials Call for Urgent International Intervention

The Supreme Committee for Winter Emergency in the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday the initial damage toll from the deep low-pressure system that struck the enclave, confirming that more than 70,000 tents were flooded after rainfall of between 45 and 55 mm fell over six consecutive hours.

In a press statement, the committee said the storm caused direct harm to around 350,000 people out of more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians spread across 2,100 camps in the various governorates, noting that the Strip contains about 270,000 tents, of which more than 162,000 are worn out and completely dilapidated.

It explained that social development teams recorded direct damage to 174 camps and 6,201 families — 75 camps in the central governorate, 51 in Gaza, 40 in northern Gaza, 5 in Rafah and 3 in Khan Younis — noting that, in cooperation with partners, immediate distribution of tents and relief supplies is under way for 1,000 affected families.

The committee confirmed that Civil Defence received 2,166 distress calls but was able to respond to only 218 of them due to limited capabilities, while water levels in some areas rose to more than 1.5 metres and entire Civil Defence centres were closed after their vehicles broke down because the occupation prevents the entry of oils and spare parts.

The committee stated that the occupation has destroyed more than 90% of infrastructure, including more than 700,000 linear metres of sewage networks, causing severe overflow at about 190 sites, and the destruction of more than 3 million linear metres of roads, leaving more than 750 roads flooded or affected and traffic halted on them.

It noted that 4,500 buildings are at risk of collapse, including about 90 that must be demolished immediately, in addition to the complete disruption of education across all areas of the Strip.

The committee called for immediate international pressure to force the occupation to allow the entry of rescue equipment, tents, hangars and caravans, to permit the entry of spare parts and oils for Civil Defence and municipal vehicles, to secure the necessary fuel, and for urgent intervention to address dangerous buildings.

It also called on the states guaranteeing the ceasefire and the National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip to act urgently to save more than 1.5 million displaced people and provide the means of protection from the coming low-pressure systems.